s a vessel of clear water is discoloured by a drop of ink.
Red Fox's eyes flashed fire towards the imprudent lad, though his lips
still smiled, and anyone who was a judge of Indian character would have
understood from that look that it would be an ill moment for Alf if ever
it was within the power of the redskin to repay the insulting
expressions.

By this time both lads had reached the shore, whereupon Bob addressed
the stranger while the pair proceeded to dress--Arnold's clothes being
dry by this time.

"Well, where have you come from?" the boy questioned.

"Trail long. Red Fox come over prairie--bush--far--far----"

"Oh, you understand English?" exclaimed Alf, at the same time hoping
that the Indian had not heard enough, or understood English well enough,
to comprehend the recent criticisms as to his personal appearance.

The redskin nodded, though he craftily pretended that his knowledge of
the foreign tongue was but scanty.

"Red Fox know little--very little. He speak--he no' understand all that
ears tell him."

"And a jolly good job, too," commented Alf to his friend. "He's a
hideous monster, but I shouldn't like to hurt his feelings by letting
him know my opinion."

"I don't think that I would express it too freely, if I were you," said
Bob, who had quickly resumed his everyday attire. "You never can tell
how much fellows like that understand. I remember father telling me that
Indians won't always admit that they know English well. They think that
they can drive better bargains by pretending ignorance."

Then the boy turned to the native, and the fact that the man was alone
and seemed to have no other possessions than his gun, hunting-knife, and
pipe, raised doubts in the lad's mind as to the truth of the statement
concerning the long journey. He knew and had heard sufficient about
Indians to be aware that they seldom travelled any distance without
their family and other belongings.

"You said that you had come a long trail?" he said, regarding the Indian
with a sharp scrutiny.

Red Fox bowed assent, taking out his pipe to fill it with kini-ka-nik
(tobacco and red willow bark mixed) as he spoke.

"Red Fox come far--with feet of deer. He have story for ear of pale-face
brothers."

The boys started at the remark, while Alf repeated--

"A story?"

"From the white men to their papooses."

This was news indeed; but the unexpected announcement disarmed suspicion
for the moment.

"From our fathers